What is the Elegant Key For in Hollow Knight?

Hollow Knight is rife with secrets and side content, most of which is not required to beat the game. But to get every charm in Hollow Knight, every spell and ability, and every upgrade in the game, you'll have to go out of your way to find hidden areas – many of which can only be unlocked once you find an associated key.

Hollow Knight Opening Cinematic Knight Nail

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By Erik Petrovich

In Hollow Knight, the Elegant Key unlocks a secret room in the City of Tears, but to get the Elegant Key, you'll have to get something for Sly, the fly shopkeeper in Dirtmouth. This guide explains how to get the Elegant Key in Hollow Knight, where to use it, and what the Elegant Key unlocks.

How To Get The Elegant Key in Hollow Knight

Unlock Sly's Extra Stock With The Shopkeeper's Key

Hollow Knight Elegant Key Shade Soul Sly Shop

To get the Elegant Key, Hollow Knight players must first find the Shopkeeper's Key. If you bring this back to Sly in Dirtmouth (provided you have found him near Selebra in the bottom-right of the Forgotten Crossroads), he will offer an expanded selection of goods – including the Elegant Key.

The Shopkeeper's Key can be found in Crystal Peak in an area that can only be accessed once you have acquired both the Mantis Claw and Downward Dive abilities. Enter Crystal Peak via the entrance directly to the right of the well in the Forgotten Crossroads, take the elevator up, then use Downward Dive to break through the ground and enter the zone proper.

Hollow Knight Elegant Key Shade Soul Elegant Door Map

From the room you land in, go down, then right until you see a route that leads up. Use the Mantis Claw to climb into the room above, then continue traveling upward until you enter a room with a handful of Crystal Crawlers – the enemies that shoot a laser out of their back.

Hollow Knight Elegant Key Shade Soul Shopkeeper's Key

Ascend through this room until you find an alcove in the top-right. If you see a gigantic Crystal Crawler enemy, you've gone too far. Pick up the Shopkeeper's Key in this alcove, then head back to Dirtmouth and talk to Sly. Give Sly the key, which will unlock his expanded selection of wares.

Where To Use The Elegant Key in Hollow Knight

Find The Elegant Key Door To Unlock A New Ability

Hollow Knight Elegant Key Shade Soul Elegant Door

Once you give Sly the Shopkeeper's Key, Hollow Knight players can purchase the Elegant Key for 800 Geo. Buy it, then make your way to the City of Tears. The Elegant Key door location is in the Soul Sanctum, relatively close to the entrance to this spooky tower.

Hollow Knight Elegant Key Shade Soul Shopkeeper's Key Map

Enter the Soul Sanctum, beat the Soul Twister (if you have not defeated the Soul Master), then go up to enter the next room. Immediately go left without ascending further, then take the elevator upward to reach the Elegant Door.

Open this door with the Elegant Key, and you will be faced with a single Soul Warrior enemy. Defeat the Soul Warrior, then climb into the room above, via the door that unlocks to the left.

Hollow Knight Elegant Key Shade Soul Figure Device Examine Closely Soul Sanctum

Inspect the figure attached to the device, then select "yes" to examine it closely. The figure will shriek, and you will gain the Shade Soul ability.

Hollow Knight Elegant Key Shade Soul Spell

Pick this up to upgrade your Vengeful Spirit spell. This spell will now be black like the Void in appearance and will deal significantly more damage to enemies.

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